The Restless Dreamer

by Imagination-Ignites

Strange Dreams. Ominous Futures. In his stay at Camp Half Blood, Nico receives unexplainable nightmares. Fearing the worst, he turns to Will Solace for help. Leaving the safety of camp, only they can unlock the secrets of his dreams and the darkness ahead of them. (btw this occurs after Heroes of Olympus, but before The Hidden Oracle...)

1. Constellations

I woke with a start, hands clenching to the sides of the bunk. Sweating and shaking—I instinctively looked for Bianca, but felt that ever familiar sinking feeling, seeing she wasn't there. I sighed heavily; another nightmare this week. Then I remembered Will's calming smile, and I stood silently. Shivering as the covers fell off me; I shrugged on my leather jacket and shoes and padded out of the lonely cabin. My breath curled into the chilly air, as I ambled by the light of the crescent moon. I could feel someone staring at me, and I quickened my pace. Glancing nervously at the towering forest, I locked eyes with a form leaning comfortably against a tree. I faltered for a second when I realized Percy was lounging in the grass.

Quickly I averted his eyes and sped past him, and I swore I heard him mutter, "Not my type…"

I lost sight of him in the wavering shadows, and I wound my way toward Will's cabin. Silently, I concocted excuses to explain why I was visiting him in the dead of night, but I tossed them aside as they became more outlandish. I jumped as a soft, pale hand grasped mine, and I turned to meet eyes like spotlights. A voice whispered to me in the darkness as I approached Will's cabin door.

"Why Mr. DiAngelo it is late to be out," Will led me over to the edge of the verandah and sat.

Slowly, I sat next to him, and I felt heat rising to my face. I could feel his gentle gaze on me, but I kept my eyes locked on the stars. Why did I come here? I promised myself I would distance myself from others, but every time I was near Will, my walls tumbled down. As the silence stretched onward, I fidgeted and I began to regret my decision to come.

"I should leave you alone," I mumbled and stood.

"Nico, stay. Please," Will said softly as I began to walk back to my cabin.

"I'm sorry, you need to sleep."

"Nico, stay and watch the stars with me."

Turning around slowly, I looked back at Will, his eyes and posture begging me to stay. Tentatively, I returned to the verandah, plopping down next to Will.

The stars and moon poured their milky light across the grounds, and the night creatures hummed in the darkness.

Time froze as our foggy breath mingled in the air, and Will broke the silence by asking, "Sooooo. What did you want to talk about? And even more importantly, what's your favorite constellation?"